Voted in the Republican Primaries yesterday - always a privilege although I haven't been good at voting in these primaries in the past.
So what spurred me to join the small crowd of voters on a day that temperatures reached 112 degrees in AZ?
Giving a vote to McCain for no other reason than keeping the vote from J.D. Hayworth who is a simple minded bigot similar to Rush Limbaugh.
Also cast my vote for Governor Brewer, the signer of SB 1070. While I continue to worry about the effect on our economy, the statute has definitely ignited debate and will force the issue to be dealt with in the next congress. They should do it now, but no Dem or Rep has the stomach for this during an election cycle. Wimps!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Political Ads
Ugh - I cannot stand the political ads. One learns nothing about what the candidate believes, only what stupid thing his opponent did last week, last year, last century! If it wasn't for the money they pour into the community espousing all this crap, there would be no use to the ads at all. Totally unreasonable.
Golf and Integrity
Golf tours, analysts, etc. like to tout their product's integrity. Take Sunday for example. At the PGA tournament, one of the 4 major golf tournaments held each year, Dustin Johnson was found to have run afoul of the rules.
He was told of the infraction, penalized, and the tournament went on without him. Without the penalty he would have been in a playoff to determine the winner. As it was, he ended up 5th because of the penalty.
They have rules and they follow them - it is a reasonable attempt by a sport to keep its integrity in order. Very reasonable - if difficult for young Dustin Johnson.
He was told of the infraction, penalized, and the tournament went on without him. Without the penalty he would have been in a playoff to determine the winner. As it was, he ended up 5th because of the penalty.
They have rules and they follow them - it is a reasonable attempt by a sport to keep its integrity in order. Very reasonable - if difficult for young Dustin Johnson.
Obama on NY Mosque
Considering the Right Wingers like to say Barack Obama is a socialist, it is interesting who is really acting like the true American democracy advocate.
As I have said before, allowing free speech etc. is sometimes very difficult, but that is one of the incredible aspects of this country. Obama basically said, the Muslims can build the Mosque in NY near Ground Zero, because that is what the American constitution says - freedom to act.
He is right. I still wish the Muslim group would re-think their choice, but if they want to move forward, they ought to be allowed. Obama defended the American constitution and he should be given credit for that, even if you don't like the outcome.
As I have said before, allowing free speech etc. is sometimes very difficult, but that is one of the incredible aspects of this country. Obama basically said, the Muslims can build the Mosque in NY near Ground Zero, because that is what the American constitution says - freedom to act.
He is right. I still wish the Muslim group would re-think their choice, but if they want to move forward, they ought to be allowed. Obama defended the American constitution and he should be given credit for that, even if you don't like the outcome.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Federal Salaries
Yikes. According the newspaper this morning, average federal employees make nearly double what a person makes in the private sector ($120K vs 60k). Double? Somehow I always thought they got paid less, but "got good benefits." Jeez, what a fool am I.
They apparently think they are getting the creme de le creme by paying more. Hmmm, perhaps they can cut all federal employees making more than say $120k in half and for those making less a somewhat lower cut. I assure you there are still quality people in the private sector who will take the job for what they are currently making and then they would get "good benefits" too!
My next step will be to pursue some federal job so I can make more money. Even local government employees make more than private sector jobs - not much, but some. Not enough to make me want to join the ranks of bureaucratic lunk head.
Federal job - the promised land. Sign me up.
They apparently think they are getting the creme de le creme by paying more. Hmmm, perhaps they can cut all federal employees making more than say $120k in half and for those making less a somewhat lower cut. I assure you there are still quality people in the private sector who will take the job for what they are currently making and then they would get "good benefits" too!
My next step will be to pursue some federal job so I can make more money. Even local government employees make more than private sector jobs - not much, but some. Not enough to make me want to join the ranks of bureaucratic lunk head.
Federal job - the promised land. Sign me up.
Vacationing
Mrs. Obama and one child went on vacation in Italy. Caused a bit of a stir. Clearly when you become President and First Lady you still have a right to go on vacation. The bitch is about the money I guess. Look at it this way, the salary paid to a President is peanuts compared to the gravity of the job.
When presidents go on vacation, I think the media and pundits and the opposition party should shut up - give them a break from nuclear proliferation, terrorists, economics, race relations, immigration reform, etc.
In this case, I can somewhat understand the debate. Extraordinary times require extraordinary discretion. The president wasn't along so perhaps Barack and Michelle Obama should have rethought her need for a vacation that requires an entourage of secret service and expense. It isn't really fair, I know, but she was not elected.
When Laura Bush or then-First Lady Hillary Clinton went, the opposition party pissed and moaned just like they are now. No difference. But, I expect more understanding from Obama than the dunce Bush or the cad Clinton.
When presidents go on vacation, I think the media and pundits and the opposition party should shut up - give them a break from nuclear proliferation, terrorists, economics, race relations, immigration reform, etc.
In this case, I can somewhat understand the debate. Extraordinary times require extraordinary discretion. The president wasn't along so perhaps Barack and Michelle Obama should have rethought her need for a vacation that requires an entourage of secret service and expense. It isn't really fair, I know, but she was not elected.
When Laura Bush or then-First Lady Hillary Clinton went, the opposition party pissed and moaned just like they are now. No difference. But, I expect more understanding from Obama than the dunce Bush or the cad Clinton.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
NY Mosque
A group called the Cordoba Initiative plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero in Manhattan. They own the building, the old Burlington Coat Factory facility and can presumably do what they wish with it within the existing building codes.
This group claims that the 13 story cultural center will include a mosque but will promote understanding between Muslims and the West. Sounds nice.
Democracy is tough. You have to be able to tolerate speech and action that goes against what you believe. If not, then the foundation of this country begins to tumble. Flag burners come to mind. Difficult to watch, especially at a time when our troops are in harms way, fighting for American ideals.
Having said all of that, I guess I think a group that claims to be a proponent of better relations would build their cultural center elsewhere and therefore honor the 3,000 or so folks who lost their lives on 9-11; If not honor, at least not dishonor them by building so near GZ.
A cultural center seems like a good idea, but not at this important spot. Only reasonable to move it elsewhere.
This group claims that the 13 story cultural center will include a mosque but will promote understanding between Muslims and the West. Sounds nice.
Democracy is tough. You have to be able to tolerate speech and action that goes against what you believe. If not, then the foundation of this country begins to tumble. Flag burners come to mind. Difficult to watch, especially at a time when our troops are in harms way, fighting for American ideals.
Having said all of that, I guess I think a group that claims to be a proponent of better relations would build their cultural center elsewhere and therefore honor the 3,000 or so folks who lost their lives on 9-11; If not honor, at least not dishonor them by building so near GZ.
A cultural center seems like a good idea, but not at this important spot. Only reasonable to move it elsewhere.
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